to keep away from; keep clear of; shun

to avoid a person; to avoid taxes; to avoid danger.

to prevent from happening

to avoid falling.

Law . to make void or of no effect; invalidate.

Obsolete . to empty; eject or expel.

verb

face , meet , seek , want

verb

abstain , avert , bypass , circumlocute , circumvent , deflect , desist , ditch , divert , dodge , duck , elude , escape , eschew , evade , fake out , fend off , flee , give the slip , hide , hold off , jump , keep clear , lay low * , obviate , recoil , run for cover , shake , shake and bake , shake off , shirk , shrink from , shuffle off , shun , shy , sidestep , skip * , skip out on , skip town , skirt * , stay away , stay out , steer clear of , step aside , turn aside , ward off , weave , withdrawnotes:avert means \'prevent , turn away\' and avoid means \'stay clear of , shun\' , burke , get around , abjure , boycott , caress , delude , depart , detour , disregard , fence , foil , forsake , hedge , ignore , mislead , outwit , parry , preclude , refrain , refuse , scorn , screen , shuffle , skirt , withdraw